GGA

He didn't own a cell phone, he completely avoided public gatherings, and he summoned his own Shura council members via separate messengers so no two men knew they were meeting. Yet, Bor Mainok (al-Minuki) was still hunted down and killed in a joint US-Nigeria operation. How? Malik Samuel (@Sazedek) takes us inside the hyper-paranoid world of ISWAP's top leadership to reveal how intelligence agencies successfully weaponised the group's internal power struggles. When luxury forest homes, selective justice, and corruption alienated the rank-and-file, human weakness did what electronic surveillance couldn't: gga.org/abu-bilal-al-m… @GGA_Nigeria

Today, GGA–Nigeria hosted the YAGG 2026 Webinar on “Strengthening Citizen-Owned Accountability between Youth and Government.” It was an insightful powerful conversation on youth engagement, accountability, civic participation, and the future of governance in Nigeria.

#TbT Showcasing how tourism & hospitality can empower young African women through mentorship and inspiration from female industry leaders, girls were encouraged to lead, grow, and thrive — advancing youth leadership & economic inclusion. #DayOfTheGirlChild2025

A critical, often overlooked element of participatory governance is economic empowerment. Akinribido(@MrTomide) noted that a truly inclusive governance model must expand digital skills and economic opportunities so young people can effectively compete and sustain their civic engagement in the modern economy.

Authorship means communities define what good governance looks like for themselves. Ijeoma Okereke (@LoveleenIJ) argued that a community shouldn't wait for external NGOs, journalists, or anti-corruption agencies to track local government budgets. True ownership happens when a community collectively tracks capital projects itself and decides what action to take when funds are diverted. @GGA_Nigeria

"We want a future where citizens truly own the process of governance." Dr Ola Bello welcomed partners, brilliant panelists, & youth leaders to our Strengthening Citizen-Owned Accountability Between Youth and Government webinar. The journey is long, but we are firmly pointed in the right direction!

Digital tech does more than amplify voices, it actively strengthens accountability. Akinribido pointed to powerful civic tech examples, like the work being done by platforms like @TrackaNG, where citizens can instantly report abandoned public projects or monitor election polling and public service delivery in real time via mobile apps. @MrTomide @GGA_Nigeria

"It is no longer just the youth leaders of political parties like APC, PDP, SDP, or Labour Party who have a voice in governance." Tomide Akinribido (@MrTomide) emphasised that digital town halls, electronic petitions, online polling, and direct social media engagement have decentralised public discourse. Every digitally connected youth now has a direct channel to participate. @GGA_Nigeria

Reflecting on his background in mass communication, Oba noted how much the democratic and media ecosystem has evolved. Before the telecommunications breakthrough in Nigeria, the tools for holding power accountable were limited. Today, decentralised digital tools mean young leaders are more informed, more aware of their rights, and better positioned to call the government to its core responsibilities. @GGA_Nigeria

GGA West Africa welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to admit CSOs into the legal battle between the AG’s Department and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. We’re ready to contribute our perspective to Ghana’s anti-corruption fight. More updates soon.

While recent arrests and interim reports from the Madlanga Commission are a step in the right direction, they aren’t a silver bullet. Speaking to Michelle Craig (@MichelleL_Craig) on @Newzroom405, Karam Singh emphasises that tackling police corruption requires looking at the entire state ecosystem. Real safety and accountability depend on implementing structural recommendations that are already on the table: transparent public procurement and robust whistleblower protection. Watch the full clip to find out what decisive leadership must do next to fix the system from the top down: youtube.com/watch?v=Ohts_2…

How do we ensure that public policy actually serves the people? Adejumo Kabir Adeniyi has dedicated his career to finding the answer. From his journalism background to his current role managing governance research at Good Governance Africa, Kabir’s work has always centred on the intersection of fundamental rights and public accountability. In this webinar, he will unpack the "how-to" of citizen-owned accountability, sharing lessons from his years in the field and his experience as an author and editor. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a leader working actively on youth engagement in governance: @6fb51e73-f61f-4678-a032-eba014f1c0cd/registration?fbclid=IwY2xjawR6KdpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1T0hrRjM1SGFuaFJWVGZEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpXH09-oboPd6DCtQXLGNpoaTCikosBePQlvl3-Ojsj5bjy_FplP3DrZQqd6_aem_jLI_L6HXLwIVqyRpp6cBsg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9fbaad41…

The latest Gulf crisis is adding pressure to a Nigerian food system that was already under strain. In her new analysis, Dr Julia Bello-Schünemann looks at how disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz are affecting fertiliser access during the planting season, with potentially serious implications for agricultural production and food prices. The article argues that Nigeria’s response must operate on two levels: managing immediate supply and affordability pressures, while also strengthening longer-term resilience through more diversified supply chains and more sustainable farming systems: gga.org/global-shock-l…

When the death of ISWAP commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki was announced, it should have been a clear-cut victory. Instead, it triggered a masterclass in bureaucratic chaos. Between President Trump’s inflated global labels and the Nigerian military’s scrambling "clarifications" about a commander they already claimed to have killed in 2024, the truth got lost in the fog of PR warfare. In this sharp analysis, Malik Samuel exposes how years of recycled death announcements, institutional gaslighting, and treating public relations as psychological warfare have left the Nigerian public unable to believe the government—even when they are telling the truth. “Until Abuja commits to clearer communication, every future victory will be met with the same suspicion” :gga.org/the-al-minuki-…

True governance reform requires a deep understanding of the systems meant to serve the people. Joining us for YAGG 2026 is Amina Umaru Miango, a legal expert who has spent more than ten years at the heart of Nigerian election administration. Amina’s current work at the intersection of media, law, and democracy provides a roadmap for how young advocates can move from being passive voters to active monitors of the democratic process. During our session, “Strengthening Citizen-Owned Accountability,” she will share practical insights on using legal literacy and media innovation to bridge the divide between youth and government: @6fb51e73-f61f-4678-a032-eba014f1c0cd/registration" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9fbaad41…

I spoke this afternoon to @BBCRadio4 about the reported death of ISWAP No. 2 leader Bor Mainok – what the death means for ISIS and ISWAP, how powerful ISWAP is, and how the group is likely to respond.

Accountability isn't just about oversight; it’s about ensuring that government works for everyone. Tomide Leonard Akinribido, Executive Chairman of SITA, has spent his career advocating for sustainable development and digital inclusion. Having served in the Ondo State House of Assembly, he possesses a deep understanding of the political economy of growth and the vital role youth play in demanding excellence. In our upcoming webinar, Akinribido will discuss how a "tech-first" approach to governance can empower marginalised communities and provide young people with the data they need to hold their leaders accountable: @6fb51e73-f61f-4678-a032-eba014f1c0cd/registration" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9fbaad41…